120
B. H. HAGGIN
It
turned out that Mr. Kirstein, whom I met for the first time, had
wanted the conference not to discuss the rejection of my columns but
to inform me that on November 15 Robert Hatch would become editor
of the back section, and that he had made it a condition of his ac–
ceptance of the editorship that he have complete control of the section,
including the right to edit all copy and to determine the frequency of
columns on the arts. Mr. Kirstein went on to say that since he was
aware of the many years I had been writing my
Nation
column and
of its popularity with the magazine's readers, he had felt that in fair–
ness to me-and here I interrupt to say that at this point one might
have supposed he was going to tell me that in fairness to me he had said
to Mr. Hatch he could not give him such control over the column I
had been writing for so many years and had made into one of the maga–
zine's most popular features, anymore than the
Herald Tribune
could do
this with Lippmann or Thomson. Instead what Mr. Kirstein said
was that he had felt that in fairness to me he should tell me in
person that he had given Mr. Hatch the control he had requested.
Having lived a sheltered life away from offices, I was unacquainted
with the protocol of such offices which Mr. Kirstein-formerly a
businessman and the director of a health insurance plan-was ob–
serving scrupulously: that when someone in an organization was going
to have something bitter done to him, it was made sweet by telling
him
about it in person. And so, whereas Mr. Kirstein sat expecting my
thanks for the fairness and consideration he was treating me with, I
sat speechless at his shocking unfairness and lack of consideration in
giving anyone editorial control over the column I had been writing
nineteen years. Moreover, when I did speak it was to ask a question;
to which Mr. Kirstein's answer was that this was something I would
have to discuss with Mr. H atch. And when this happened a second
time, making it evident that there was to be no discussion at this "con–
ference," I asked, "What have you told me here that y.ou couldn't as
well have written me?" Taken aback, Mr. Kirstein answered, "I sup–
pose I
could
have written you." "You
should
have!" I said vehemently,
and left.
The letter from Mr. Kirstein that arrived the next morning, con–
firming what he had told me, ended with the statement that he had
found my conduct offensive; but it was significant that he didn't do
what he undoubtedly would have preferred to do, which was discharge
me. In the next few days friends explained the protocol he had ob–
served; and I wrote him explaining why I hadn't recognized his
courteous intent and assuring him of my willingness to discuss with Mr.
Hatch anything he would wish to discuss with me. Mr. Kirstein's reply
